Resources: Current Microcinemas & Underground Film Circuits

A WIP list of those that play NonMainstream cinema... in small venues.

hardly micro, Locarno has one of the largest outdoor cinema screens on earth.

This week on my continuing deep dive into innovation in distribution from outside the Studio Industrial Complex, I offered some of the groundbreakers in the realm of microcinemas and underground networks. Or rather I tried. I had a few glitches with the publishing. But you can still check out the post ICYMI (I’ve removed the paywall for the timebeing).

Resources: Innovations for Microcinema & Underground Circuits

But where are today’s microcinemas? I asked FilmStack a while back to start this list — and of course you came through, because that is what WE do.. Thanks for suggestions, friends.

To be clear, Microcinemas are not the same as community cinemas or arthouse cinemas although they can be all of these things simultaneously. Community arthouse cinemas predominately play films from the mainstream distributors and not those supplied by the artists themselves. Microcinemas predominately play what we call experimental films. Many of the suggestion FilmStack offered for the list are community and arthouse theaters and not microcinemas.

Microcinemas and underground circuits are outside of the mainstream corporate system. Change occurs quicker on the edges than in the middle. When audiences and communities aren’t served by the existing ecosystem, they often come up with solutions on their own. Our world has a long and exciting history of taking action into their hands.

Hopefully with further input we can build a truly robust RESOURCE list of microcinemas across the globe. Just as jake S. weisman of filmjourn proposed for an LA microcinema circuit or tour, this COULD go global.

---

Microcinemas, Alternative Screens, and Underground Circuits (For NonMainstream Work), Global edition 2025

1. AgX Film Collective (Boston, MA, United States)

   An artist-run film lab and collective for moving image artists.

2. The Arkadin Cinema and Bar (St. Louis, MO, United States)

3. Basement Films (Albuquerque, NM, United States)

   Non-profit, massive archive, artist collective -- since 1991

4. Black Hole Cinematheque / Light Field (Oakland & SF, 2010s–present)

   An artist-run screening collective focused on expanded cinema and celluloid projection, often showing experimental and non-commercial work in alternative venues (warehouses, studios). Light Field grew from this as an annual analog-focused micro-festival.

5. Cube Microplex

   (Bristol, UK): Another DIY cinema focused on carving out autonomous space for pluralist film practices.

6. Dreamland Cinema (Sacramento, CA) 26 seats!

7. Facets (Chicago, IL, USA) 1517 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

   P: (773) 281-9075

   home video store, micro cinema, camps, workshops, since 1975

8. The Film Cooperative

   A network connecting over 100 independent cinema websites, facilitating film promotion and audience engagement.

9. filmkoop wien

   (Austria): Artist-run film lab and screening room

10. Illegal Cinema

    (Belgrade, Serbia): A basement cinema showcasing underground and non-mainstream films.

11. LAB 111

    (Netherlands): An innovative cinema and cultural hub.

12. London MicroCinemas:

    1. ArtHouse Crouch End:

       This two-screen cinema, located in a former Salvation Army Hall, is more than just a cinema. Londonist says it blends film, art, live music, theatre, dance, workshops, live streaming, and comedy. The cinema focuses on unconventional content alongside some mainstream films and has a cozy café-bar area.

    2. The Castle Cinema:

       This intimate and historic cinema in Clapton has comfortable seats and shows a wide variety of films, including indie and world cinema. It also has a bar area and hosts special screenings.

    3. Ciné Reel: This unique 15-seat cinema operates out of the back of a camera shop in Hackney and focuses on screening classic films using 16mm reels, offering a rare analog experience.

    4. Close-Up Cinema (Shoreditch, London, UK)

       An arthouse cinema and resource center with a library of rare and classic films, and a library featuring over 26,000 titles.

    5. Deptford Cinema: London Evening Standard lists this as a micro-cinema. Further research would be beneficial to confirm its current programming and focus.

    6. The Garden Cinema:

       A newer addition to London's independent cinema scene, The Garden Cinema says this venue prioritizes films that are "worth seeing, films you'd be happy to see more than once". It shows a mix of classics, new releases, and films from various seasons and festivals.

    7. London Film-Makers' Co-op (now LUX): Established in 1966, this groundbreaking cooperative supported the production and distribution of artists' moving image in the UK.

    8. The Nickel Cinema

       (London, UK): Screens offbeat, underseen cult films, including those on 16mm.

    9. Sands Films Studio:

       While primarily a film industry player, Sands Films Studio also hosts a Cinema Club on Tuesday evenings, screening old classics in a cozy setting with sofas and armchairs. Tickets are often free, though donations are encouraged.

    10. Theatreship:

        Billed as "the UK's biggest independent floating theatre & cinema," Theatreship, located in Canary Wharf, features regular film screenings in its 100-seat cinema, including a mystery film night. Screenings are free, making it a unique and accessible option.

    11. Whirled Cinema:

        “Situated beneath Loughborough Junction railway arches, this venue offers a "film club vibe" and shows a diverse selection of films, from contemporary features to niche artistic productions and cult favorites. It is a unique and intimate space with a bar and rooftop terrace.”

13. Los Angeles MicroCinemas (list mostly courtesy of filmjourn)

    1. Be Kind Rewind - 3601 ½ W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank

    2. Brain Dead Studios - 611 N. Fairfax Ave

    3. CineFile Video - 11280 Santa Monica Blvd

    4. filmjourn Micro - 216 W. 5th St., LA Follow them on FilmStack!

    5. Mezzanine - non-profit bridging cinema and other arts

    6. Mubi Microcinema @ Vidiots - 4884 Eagle Rock Blvd

    7. Now Instant — Chinatown, LA

    8. Vidiots

    9. Video Archives @ The Vista- 4473 Sunset Dr

    10. Videoteque - 4102 N Figueroa St.

    11. Whammy! Analog - 2514 Sunset Blvd, LA : VHS Store, 16mm screenings, Rentable Venue, 40 seats

14. New York MicroCinemas:

    1. Anthology Film Archives

       Opened in 1970 in the East Village, this cinema is dedicated to preserving, studying, and exhibiting film and video. They specialize in independent, experimental, and avant-garde cinema, and they screen more than 900 programs annually. Anthology screens avant-garde and experimental works as well as independent and art films from throughout cinema's history.

    2. Film Noir Cinema

       Located in Brooklyn, this tiny art-house cinema offers a lineup of indie & classic films, alongside hard-to-find video rentals. It is praised for its cozy screening room and intimate venue, offering a great experience for screenings.

    3. Firehouse: DCTV's Cinema for Documentary Film

       :This new non-profit independent cinema in Chinatown is a hub for filmmakers and film lovers to appreciate and explore nonfiction film. It provides a cozy and intimate setting to watch a huge variety of documentaries and interact with filmmakers.

    4. Low Cinema

       Located in Ridgewood, this 44-seat neighborhood movie theater showcases a blend of repertory programming and recent releases. It's a new microcinema that aims to enhance the movie-watching experience.

    5. The Luminal Theater

       (New York, US): Pop-up space focused on highlighting the work of local and underrepresented filmmakers.

    6. UnionDocs

       (New York, US): Features a year-long collaborative program for emerging media artists and twice-weekly events.

15. Micro-Wave Cinema Series (Chicago, 2011–2016)

    Programmed by critic and scholar Jonathan Rosenbaum and others, it presented new experimental cinema in Chicago's Logan Square, offering rare exposure to contemporary international avant-garde work outside institutional contexts.

16. Open Source Cinema (Cincinnati, Ohio, USA)

    OSC is a community-curated microcinema screening weekly at PAR-Projects in Cincinnati, Ohio.

17. Picture Lock One (Troy, NY, USA)

    A roving microcinema currently housed in Collar Works @ 50 4th Street

18. Shapeshifters Cinema (Oakland, CA, USA)

    Shop, Experimental Film Workshops, Live screenings/events

19. Space Melt MicroCinema (Philadelphia, PA, USA)

20. Star and Shadow Cinema (Newcastle, UK):

    A DIY cinema committed to cultural resistance and counter-hegemonic film exhibition.

21. Sweetvoid Cinema (Chicago, IL, USA)

    Free Production Workshops, Short Festival, Prod Company

Traveling and Pop-Up Cinemas:

1. Kino Karavanas (Lithuania)

2. Bygdekinoen (Norway)

3. Roadmovie (Switzerland)

4. Mobile Kino (Germany)

5. Solar Cinema (Kosovo)

6. Kinobuss (Estonia)

7. Kinograph (Belgium)

What are we missing? Let’s source some more please! Go FilmStack!

PS. For more on the growing MicroCinema movement and how you can be part of it in Los Angeles:

A Paradox of Passion: Indie, Fringe, & NonDē Cinema in Hollywood